(L to R) MLB Umpires Ben May, Roberto Ortiz and Bill Miller with staff and volunteers at Cleveland Clinic Children’s (Photo By Ken Blaze) Click HERE to view the full photo gallery.
Major League Baseball Umpires Bill Miller, Ben May and Roberto Ortiz – part of the crew working the Cleveland Guardians series against the Toronto Blue Jays – took time out to bring the excitement of the “Superman” movie release to children undergoing hospital treatment.
The MLB Umpires make an annual visit to Cleveland Clinic Children’s, and each year, they deliver cuddly Build-A-Bear® furry friends to the children.
But this year, with the excitement of the upcoming Superman movie being filmed in Cleveland, we added Superman and superhero outfits for the young patients and for the Build-A-Bear® toys to the mix.
The MLB Umpires and UMPS CARE also delivered 100 superhero masks and capes to the children. In addition, Warner Bros. donated Superman movie posters, and Phoenix Theatres Great Northern Mall gave each patient vouchers to see movies, and the Cleveland Guardians generously provided bobbleheads for the kids.
The Guardians’ lovable mascot, Slider, surprised the kiddos – complete with his Superman cape! Even the hospital’s therapy dog sported a pink superhero cape for the occasion!
The umpire crew also hosted an on-the-field special meet and greet for the real superheroes in town – Child Life Specialists who lift up the spirits of kids in the hospital throughout the year.
“We wanted to bring the excitement of the Superman movie to the kids in the hospital and to their caregivers,” said Jennifer Skolochenko-Platt, Executive Director at UMPS CARE Charities. “There is a lot of excitement in Cleveland because the Superman character was created by Cleveland high school students and because the city will be featured in the film.”
“This was a way we could capture that fun for kids who are facing medical challenges,” Skolochenko-Platt added. “The umpires can deliver Build-A-Bear® stuffed toys and Superman swag as a way to let these kids get their minds off of their treatment for a bit and have fun.”
This visit to Cleveland Clinic Children’s marks the 231st delivery of Build-A-Bear® furry friends that UMPS CARE Charities since the program was created in 2006. Including the visit today, UMPS CARE has delivered more than 23,500 Build-A-Bear® stuffed toys to children in hospitals across the country and in Canada.
UMPS CARE Charities is proud to partner with Major League Baseball, the Major League Baseball Umpire Association, the Cleveland Guardians, Cleveland Clinic Children’s, the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, Phoenix Theatres Great Northern Mall, Warner Bros. and generous monthly donors to make this event possible.
